Energy supplement sales soar

Sales of Xtra-Milk — an energy supplement designed to stimulate milk output — have increased by 40 per cent within the last two months, reports Ufac-UK, the manufacturers.

This is due to farmers realising the need to boost output, following a season of variable-quality forage, says the company.

"National Milk Records showed that average milk yields from British cows have dropped for the first time in a decade, but with higher milk prices dairy farmers need to increase production to improve returns," commented Robert Jones, Ufac's managing director.

With the soaring cost of cereals Xtra-Milk provides a very competitive method of enhancing output thereby lowering the overall feed costs per litre, he points out. The product contains a blend of energy-rich oils that include the valuable omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which stimulate microbial activity in the rumen. This helps release more of the energy from forage and starchy foods.

Adding Xtra-Milk to the diet can boost milk output by 2 litres per cow a day at a cost of around 26 p. However, this milk will be worth 50-60p, depending on prices received and could therefore add up to a £100 return for every cow in the herd.

Ufac-UK has particular expertise in dealing with fats and oils, and is a leading supplier of energy supplements to the trade.